As a long time vegetarian, I love finding ways to get more fresh vegetables into my recipes. I want to instill a love of veggies and fruit in my daughter. Sometimes my creations are greeted with enthusiasm, as she joyfully scoops up bite after bite. Sometimes...they end up on the floor.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Sometimes you buy beets for the nice big roots to shred, roast or pickle. Sometimes you buy beets primarily for their nice leafy greens and are left with teeny tiny baby beets, too small to bother peeling or using for most of your usual beet applications. When I have these teeny tiny baby beets, I like to steam them whole, cool, peel and blend into smoothies. They make for a hot pink smoothie that is hard to turn down. You can steam your beets ahead of time and refrigerate, unpeeled until you are ready to use them. This recipe makes one serving. Feel free to double, triple or quadruple to serve a crowd.

Blackberry Beet Smoothie

Any amount of baby beets, greens removed and roots scrubbed well1 large Bananna1/4 cup Frozen Blackberries1/2 cup plain yogurt1. Set up a steamer basket in a medium pot. Fill with water until the level reaches right below the basket. Cover and bring water to a boil over high heat. 2. Remove lid and add scrubbed beets to steamer. Steam over high heat for about 45 minutes, adding additional water as necessary to keep the pot from boiling dry. The beets should be fork tender. Remove from heat and chill.

In the steamer

3. Once beets are cool, you can slip the skins right off.

Skin on

Skin off

4. To make the smoothie, combine one or two peeled baby beets with the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.